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July 2, 2011

G82: Red Sox 10, Astros 4

The Red Sox began the game with three quick runs, as the first five batters reached base, and after the Astros came close to tying the game (or taking a lead) in the seventh, Boston immediately erupted for four runs, three on a long blast to left field from Darnell McDonald, whose slugging percentage before that swing was .182, to pull away for good.

Miller (6-7-2-2-3, 85) allowed at least one baserunner in each inning, but only three Astros were able to get past first base against him, and two of those were in the first inning.

Alfredo Aceves got into some hot water in the seventh. Working with a 5-2 lead, he retired the first two batters, but then allowed two singles and a walk, loading the bases. Daniel Bard came in and walked Hunter Pence to force in a run, but considering that Pence had singled twice and homered in his three previous at-bats, that may not have been so bad. Bard then retired Carlos Lee on a first-pitch ground out.

Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez, and Kevin Youkilis each went 3-for-5, with an RBI; Gonzalez also scored three runs. Jacoby Ellsbury doubled, walked, and scored twice.

Yamaico Navarro hit his first major league home run as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning. The last Red Sox player to do that was Juan Diaz (June 23, 2002). Diaz's home run came in his eighth, and last, major league plate appearance. (Diaz was still playing baseball as recently as 2010, however, in the independent Northern League.)

The Yankees beat the Mets this afternoon 5-2 for their 17th win in their last 21 games (since being swept by the Red Sox on June 7-9). Boston remains 2.5 GB.

This is Miller's third start since being called up from Pawtucket last month. In his last outing, against the Pirates, he allowed five hits and one earned run in six innings.

In 16 starts, Happ has a 5.54 ERA and 1.54 WHIP (92 hits and 43 walks in 87.2 innings). ... At the plate, he's a surprising 7-for-24, with an .804 OPS. Of the eight regulars in the Phillies' lineup, only two have an OPS over .800 (Shane Victorino and Ryan Howard).

Terry Francona is considering playing Adrian Gonzalez in RF today.

Unfortunately, Dustin Pedroia didnottell us what he barked at umpire Laz Diaz as he ran to first base after his game-tying single last night: "I don't even remember, man. I'm out of my mind half the time anyway." (I assume FY does not want to incur a fine.)

In addition to the Francona/Brad Mills and Ron Johnson/Chris Johnson connections between the two teams, Carl Crawford and Astros center fielder Michael Bourn played on the same Little League team in Houston.

How fucking stupid are the Mets? Loaded, one out, 0-0 game. Pitcher up. You have to keep him in, but can you at least create the fucking illusion that he's not TRYING to hit into an inning ending DP? For my sanity? Bunt? Swing up (and maybe end up with a run god forbid)? Strike the fuck out on purpose to just give us a chance? You're the NL, surely you must have thought of this.

And after several foul would-be DP tappers, he finally nails it, wussing it softly right to A-Rod standing practically on third base. Stupid Mets, stupid NL, stupid .045 batter in the middle of a game that affects MY division.

Castig just said that Laz Diaz did see Pedroia turn around and shout at him last night when he was running for first, but didn't say what he thought about it. FY's lucky he didn't get tossed. Wish I could have seen it.

Sounds great. I don't get to Fenway often, once or twice a season, but try to get good seats when I go. Tonight I'm keeping an ear on the game while I try to pound out some code. Regards to Laura. When I have a spare hour or two, I'm going to collect the foul words!